GPS test: measure location and accuracy
Navigation putting you on the wrong street? This test shows live how accurately your phone determines its position – and whether the receiver is to blame.
The test
Start locating and allow location access. Best conditions: outdoors or at a window with open sky. Let it run for 1–2 minutes – accuracy improves as more satellites are found.
Your result for this test:
What accuracy is normal?
| Accuracy | Rating |
|---|---|
| ±3–10 m | Very good – normal GPS under open sky |
| ±10–25 m | Good – fine for navigation |
| ±25–100 m | Fair – typical indoors or between tall buildings; retest outside |
| consistently >100 m | Weak – if it stays like this outdoors, something is off |
Important: indoors your phone often locates via Wi-Fi and cell towers instead of satellites – readings of several hundred meters there are not a malfunction. Only a test outdoors with open sky is meaningful.
If accuracy stays poor outdoors
- Check location mode: battery saver or "approximate location" for the browser artificially limits accuracy. Grant the site precise location.
- Case and mount: metal cases and magnetic mounts measurably degrade reception – test once without the case.
- Assisted-GPS data: after long flights the receiver may need minutes for its first fix. A reboot outdoors helps.
- After a drop or repair: the GPS antenna is often a separate part or built into the frame; after sloppy repairs it's a frequent suspect.
Position jumps despite good accuracy?
If your position jumps in the maps app while this test shows stable values, the receiver is fine – the app or aggressive battery optimization throttling background location is the likelier cause. Exempt your navigation app from battery optimization and compare again.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the first fix take so long?
The receiver must first download satellite data (cold start) – up to a minute under open sky, usually seconds with assisted-GPS data from the internet.
Does this test share my position with anyone?
No. The coordinates are displayed only on your device and never transmitted. The location query runs entirely in your browser.
My altitude is wrong – is that a defect?
GPS altitude is inherently much less accurate than horizontal position; deviations of 10–30 m are completely normal.